USk symposium Amsterdam 2019

Phew. Finally the Urban Sketching symposium Amsterdam 2019 is over.
Here is the final picture of the event, about 1500 of the approx 2000 sketchers that took part of the event.

The event was lead by Ruud Otten and Gail Howard. I was honoured to be in the core team together with Peggy Otten, Anne Rose Oosterbaan, Roger Klaassen, Linda Toolsema, Peer Wolkers, and the angel of the team, Marleen Dambrink. And about 60 hardworking volunteers. Here is a part of that group.

The conditions under which we had to work were almost unbearable. Nature choose to break the Dutch heatrecords twice during the 4-day symposium. 39,7 Celcius on Wednesday and 40,7 on Thursday. Never before in recorded Dutch history. These were really harsh conditions to work under.
With over 600 symposium and workshop participants and about 2000 sketchers all over town, some things are bound to go wrong. But we heard from all sides that this was the largest and best organised symposium so far.
I am really proud on what we achieved and most of all I am really proud on our Dutch red team.

Meersen, the basilica

Meerssen, the 14th century Gothic basilica. On of the best examples of the gothic "maasland" style. It used to have gothic towers, but these were destroyed in one of the many wars we had in the 16th and 17th century, and never rebuilt. Funny, even though the church is very near, maybe 15 km, we never go there.

Austin 1932

Small and very quick drawing of an Austin, dating back to 1932. Drawn at a vintage car happening in Hoensbroek.

Place du Marché. Luik

Place du Marché, in Liège. On the terrace drinking a nnice cup of coffee.

Hors Chateau in Liege

Sitting nice and quiet in this little square in Liège. A project by the architect Charles Vandenhove.
Making this drawing was almost like meditation.

St Pholien 2nd

Another one from the fleamarket, this time a quick one. Maybe 10, max 15 minutes.

Liège, le brocante de St. Pholien

I visited Liège this morning, just a day out roaming the city, walking around, eating merguez, sitting on terraces and making some drawings.

On friday there is always a nice Brocante (fleamarket). Several times I have made drawings there, it's always a pleasure to be there. The guy selling stuff was called Leo; and when I made the picture he was already cleaning up his place.